Episode notes
What happens when the industry's most celebrated Holstein sire carries a hidden genetic time bomb? This episode exposes the shocking true cost of S-W-D Valiant's legacy—a bull whose record-breaking genetics revolutionized dairy production while secretly spreading a lethal defect that caused over 500,000 spontaneous abortions worldwide. We challenge everything you think you know about genetic selection, revealing why today's "elite" breeding practices might be repeating the same costly mistakes that nearly crippled the Holstein breed.
Key Takeaways:
- Discover how one "perfect" mating decision in 1973 created both a genetic goldmine and a $420 million industry disaster
- Uncover the hidden connection between Valiant's 55x presence in modern pedigrees and today's fertility challenges
- Learn why Valiant's ...
Keywords
Holstein breeding strategiesHolstein breeding evolutiongenomic testing dairyHolstein breeding programHolstein breeding strategydairy genetic diversityS-W-D Valiantherd profitability